Camera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus and side mirror including the same

ABSTRACT

A camera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprising a lens module; an image sensor; a light source; and a mirror module, the light source is disposed so that light emitted from the light source intersects an optical axis of the lens module in the first area, the light source being disposed in a second area outside the first area, the mirror module includes a mirror that is formed to rotate about one side thereof located in the second area as a rotation axis so as to switch between a first state where at least a portion of the mirror is moved to and disposed in the first area and a second state where the mirror is moved to and disposed in the second area, a light path of the lens module is disposed to be reflected by the mirror and directed to the light source in the first state, and the light path of the lens module is disposed to be directed to the image sensor in the second state, and the camera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus operates as a puddle lamp in the first state and operates as a camera in the second state.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2020-0070823, filed on Jun. 11, 2020, the disclosureof which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a camera-puddle lamp integratedapparatus and a vehicle side mirror including the same.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Contents described in this section merely provide background informationon the present embodiment and do not constitute the related art.

Among various functions for providing convenience to a driver, there arepuddle lamps, surround view monitors (SVMs), or around view cameras.

An SVM is an integrated camera system for providing information on thesurrounding environment of a vehicle when parking and is placed in thevehicle to photograph areas in all directions from the vehicle. Ingeneral, an SVM camera module 102 for photographing right and left areasis mounted on each of two side mirrors 1 at right and left sides of thevehicle (referring to FIG. 1).

A puddle lamp 104 serves to provide illumination and a luxurious imagearound a boarding area to a driver at night. In addition, variousconvenience and safety modules such as side repeaters 106, which areright and left signal lamps, may be mounted on a side mirror 1.

In terms of aerodynamics, it is preferable that a size of the sidemirror 1 is small, but an internal space reduction according to the sizereduction makes it difficult to mount various additional modules. Inparticular, in the case of a camera monitor system (CMS) in which a sizeof a side mirror is dramatically reduced by installing only a camerainstead of a mirror to reduce wind noise and improve fuel economy, theCMS has a small size which is insufficient for installing all necessaryfunction modules.

Meanwhile, as the number of modules disposed in the side mirror 1increases, the number of design considerations for ensuringwatertightness of each module increases and costs increase.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed to providing a side mirror, in whichan occupied space in the side mirror is minimized by integrating acamera for a surround view monitor (SVM) with a puddle lamp into onepart so that watertightness of an integrated module is easily securedand manufacturing costs are reduced, and providing a camera-puddle lampintegrated module useful for reduction in size of a camera monitorsystem (CMS).

According to one embodiment, the present disclosure provides acamera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus comprising: a lens module; animage sensor; a light source; and a mirror module, wherein the imagesensor is spaced apart from a rear of the lens module with a first areatherebetween, the light source is disposed so that light emitted fromthe light source intersects an optical axis of the lens module in thefirst area, the light source being disposed in a second area outside thefirst area, the mirror module includes a mirror that is formed to rotateabout one side thereof located in the second area as a rotation axis soas to switch between a first state where at least a portion of themirror is moved to and disposed in the first area and a second statewhere the mirror is moved to and disposed in the second area, a lightpath of the lens module is disposed to be reflected by the mirror anddirected to the light source in the first state, and the light path ofthe lens module is disposed to be directed to the image sensor in thesecond state, and the camera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus operatesas a puddle lamp in the first state and operates as a camera in thesecond state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a general side mirror including variousmodules.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a camera-puddle lampintegrated apparatus according to a first embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an operation of thecamera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus according to the firstembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a reflector structure of thecamera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus according to the firstembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an optical function of thecamera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus according to the firstembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a control system of thecamera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus according to the firstembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of a camera-puddle lamp integratedapparatus according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a control system of acamera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus according to the secondembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a camera-puddle lamp integrated apparatusaccording to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an operation of thecamera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus according to the thirdembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a camera-puddle lamp integrated apparatusaccording to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the camera-puddle lamp integratedapparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In addition, terms such as “part” and “module” mean a unit thatprocesses at least one function or operation and may be implemented byhardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a camera-puddle lampintegrated apparatus according to a first embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, a camera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus 10according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure includes alens module 110, an image sensor 120, a light source 130, and a mirrormodule 140. A camera module 20 and a puddle lamp module 30 share thelens module 110, and the image sensor 120 is spaced apart from the rearof the lens module 110 with a first area therebetween. The mirror module140 is disposed between the rear of the lens module 110 and the imagesensor 120 of the camera module 20. The mirror module 140 includes amirror 142, and the mirror 142 rotates about one side thereof as arotation axis so that an operation state of the integrated apparatus 10is switched.

A state, in which the mirror 142 of the mirror module 140 is lowered tothe first area between the rear of the lens module 110 and the imagesensor 120 so that an optical axis of the lens module 110 is refractedto be directed to the light source 130 of the puddle lamp module 30, isdefined as a first state. A state, in which the mirror 142 of the mirrormodule 140 rotates and moves to a second area outside the first area andis folded to be close to the light source 130 of the puddle lamp module30 so that the optical axis of the lens module 110 proceeds to the imagesensor 120 of the lens module 110 without interference with the mirror142, is defined as a second state.

The camera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus 10 according to the firstembodiment of the present disclosure operates in a puddle lamp mode whenthe mirror module 140 is in the first state and operates in a cameramode when the mirror module 140 is in the second state.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the operation of thecamera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus according to the firstembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates the most basic layout of the camera-puddle lampintegrated apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 3A illustrates the camera mode, and FIG. 3B illustratesthe puddle lamp mode.

In the most basic layout according to one embodiment, the image sensor120 is disposed behind the lens module 110 to be perpendicular to theoptical axis of the lens module 110, and the light source 130 of thepuddle lamp module 30 is disposed on a flat surface which isperpendicular to the image sensor 120 and located outside an areathrough which imaging light behind the lens module 110 passes.

A space in which the mirror 142 of the mirror module 140 may be rotatedto be in a first state is secured between the rear of the lens module110 and the image sensor 120. In a general camera module, the imagesensor 120 is disposed close to the rear of the lens module 110.Meanwhile, in the camera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus 10 accordingto one embodiment, the rear of the lens module 110 and the image sensor120 are separated by a larger distance due to a space for accommodatingthe mirror module 140. To this end, the lens module 110 according to oneembodiment may be designed to form a relatively long focal length in arearward direction.

The light source 130 of the puddle lamp module 30 may be disposed on oneflat surface parallel to the optical axis of the lens module 110. Aposition of the light source 130, specifically, a distance from theoptical axis of the lens module 110 to the flat surface on which thelight source 130 is disposed, may be determined in consideration ofoptical characteristics of the lens module 110, a height of the sidemirror 1 from a ground, or the like.

That is, in one embodiment, the flat surface on which the light source130 of the puddle lamp module 30 is placed and the mirror 142 in thesecond state are parallel to the optical axis of the lens module 110,and the image sensor 120 of the lens module 110 is disposedperpendicular to the optical axis of the lens module 110. In the firststate, for example, the mirror 142 may be sloped or tilted at an angleof 45° with respect to the optical axis of the lens module 110 and theimage sensor 120. For convenience of description, it is illustrated thatthe flat surface on which the light source 130 of the puddle lamp module30 is placed and the image sensor 120 are perpendicular to each other,and the mirror 142 is placed at 45° between the light source 130 and thepuddle lamp module 30 in the first state. However, the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto, and the arrangement angles may bedifferent as necessary.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a reflector structure of thecamera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus according to the firstembodiment of the present disclosure.

The mirror module 140 may include the mirror 142, a mirror rotationshaft 144, a cam bar 146 fixed to one end of the mirror rotation shaft144, a torsion spring 147, a solenoid 148, and a push pin 149. However,the present disclosure is not limited thereto and may include variousstructures capable of providing the above-described first state andsecond state.

Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 4A illustrates a state in which the mirror 142is folded to be parallel with the flat surface on which the light source130 of the puddle lamp module 30 is placed in the first state. The pushpin 149 which is moved forward and backward by the solenoid 148 is in ashort state, and the cam bar 146 is rotated in a clockwise direction bythe torsion spring 147. This position may correspond to a minimum strokeposition of the solenoid 148.

FIG. 4B illustrates a state in which the mirror 142 is rotated tointersect the optical axis of the lens module 110 in the second state.The push pin 149 connected to the solenoid 148 is in a state that hasbeen moved to a position corresponding to a maximum length and pushesthe cam bar 146 to rotate the mirror rotation shaft 144 in acounterclockwise direction, and the torsion spring 147 is compressed inthe first state. Accordingly, the mirror 142 is rotated to have, forexample, an angle of 45° with respect to the optical axis of the lensmodule 110.

The cam bar 146 and/or the push pin 149 may be made of a material thatwears less even with frequent operations and does not generate dust dueto wear. Alternatively, the material may have a small coefficient offriction therebetween. For example, the cam bar 146 and/or the push pin149 may be made of an Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE)material. The UHMWPE not only has a very low coefficient of friction butalso has a very long chain of molecules. Accordingly, even when wearoccurs, an amount of particles dropped out from the UHMWPE is verysmall. In the case of the camera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus 10according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, which requireshigh watertight performance or the like, to be used in a vehicle, it isnecessary to prevent occurrence of dust inside even when the integratedapparatus 10 is operated for a long time in a completely sealed state.This is because, when dust is generated, the dust may adhere to theimage sensor 120, and thus, quality of an image to be photographed maybe degraded.

Meanwhile, the light source 130 of the puddle lamp module 30 may be, forexample, a light emitting diode (LED) light source. In general, anoperation time in the puddle lamp mode is not long. However, thetemperature of the light source 130 and the surroundings thereof maybecome a high temperature due to heat generated by the light source 130.Therefore, a surface of the minor 142 and the light source 130 may bedesigned to have an appropriate distance in the second state.

In addition, logos, letters, patterns, or color patterns, and the likemay be etched and/or laminated on a reflective surface of the minor 142.In general, the puddle lamp is formed to provide an aesthetic value to adriver by providing illumination that incorporates these designelements. In the case of the puddle lamp module 30 according to oneembodiment, the design element may be included in the illumination byusing a pattern mask added to the surface of the minor 142.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an optical function of thecamera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus according to the firstembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates concepts of image capturing and lamp lightingaccording to the first embodiment. In the illustrated example, it isassumed that a distance from the camera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus10 to the image capturing area and a distance from the camera-puddlelamp integrated apparatus 10 to an area illuminated by the puddle lampmodule 30 are similar to each other. When the light source 130 and theimage sensor 120 are disposed to be located at the same focal distanceto the rear of the lens module 110 due to the mirror 142 inclined at anangle of 45° with respect to the image sensor 120, an area to bephotographed and an area illuminated by a lamp may be formed to be thesame area at the same distance.

Although not illustrated, the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 maybe variously modified to improve the performance of the camera module 20and the puddle lamp module 30 and operate the camera module 20 and thepuddle lamp module 30 more efficiently.

The area photographed by the camera and the area illuminated by thepuddle lamp may be the same. However, the areas may be different fromeach other. For example, the camera may be formed to photograph a widerarea than the puddle lamp. In addition, the camera may be formed so thata center of the photographing area is farther out of the vehicle than acenter of a puddle lamp illumination area.

In general, a camera mounted on the side minor 1 is disposed so that anoptical axis of the camera is not perpendicular to the ground. Since apreferred photographing area is around the vehicle, the optical axis isdisposed to face the front and the ground at a location spaced apartfrom the vehicle by a predetermined distance. In addition, in the caseof the puddle lamp, it may be desirable to form the puddle lamp toilluminate a narrower area than the photographing area in order toefficiently utilize an amount of light of a limited light source. Thatis, when the same lens module 110 is used, an arrangement different froman angular arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 5 may be advantageous.For example, in the first state, the optical axis of the lens module 110and/or the central axis of the light source 130 of the puddle lampmodule 30 may have an angle different from the 45° angle from the mirrorand/or the light from the light source 130 may be formed to pass througha portion or other areas of the lens module 110. That is, by adjusting asize of the mirror 142 or the angle in the first state, the illuminationmay be more concentrated in an area closer to the vehicle than in thephotographing area of the camera.

Preferably, the area illuminated by the puddle lamp may be smaller thanthe photographing area, and this modified design may also provide anadvantage of miniaturizing the size of the mirror 142.

In another modified embodiment, the mirror 142 may be manufactured inthe form of a concave mirror. The concave mirror may have a parabolicshape. One or more light sources 130 of the puddle lamp module 30 may bedisposed on a flat surface, and light emitted from the plurality oflight sources 130 may be adjusted so that the area narrower than thephotographing area of the camera due to additional lensing effects ofthe mirror 142 and/or a position different from a center of thephotographing area of the camera, for example, a position close to adoor step of the vehicle, may be the center of the illumination. Ifnecessary, the flat surface on which the light source 130 of the puddlelamp module 30 is disposed may also be disposed to be inclined at apredetermined angle with respect to the optical axis of the lens module110.

That is, as a modified embodiment, using the angle of the mirror 142 inthe first state, a shape of the reflective surface of the mirror 142,inclination setting of the layout of the light source 130 with respectto the optical axis, or the like, it is possible to provide differentoptimized characteristics while using the same lens module used for thecamera module 20.

Meanwhile, in the case of the image sensor 120 of the camera module 20,an embodiment in which the image sensor 120 is disposed in an inclinedshape not perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens module 110 mayalso be considered. In general, a surround view monitor (SVM) cameraincludes a wide-angle lens or an ultrawide-angle lens to provide a wideimaging area and a deep focus depth. In addition, in general, since adistance from the rear of the lens module 110 to the image sensor isshort, optical effects obtained by adjusting the position of the imagesensor with respect to the optical axis of the lens are not considered.Meanwhile, in the case of the present disclosure, similar to the SVMcamera, the wide-angle lens or the ultrawide-angle lens is applied.However, since the distance from the rear of the lens module 110 to theimage sensor 120 is relatively long, it is possible to apply concepts oftilt and shift which are well known in a field of imaging optics.

For example, in the case of the camera module 20 disposed to be anoptical axis inclined to the outside of the vehicle from a virtualvertical line perpendicular from the ground at the position of the sidemirror 1, the ground and the image sensor 120 are not parallel to eachother and are inclined. Accordingly, a significant difference in lightpath and a difference in focus occur between the ground close to thevehicle and a location far from the vehicle from the image sensor 120.This means that the optical depth area of the photographing area passesthrough the lens module 110 and is projected to the image sensor 120 inan inclined state. For an object to be photographed that is inclined toa certain degree with respect to the image sensor 120, generally, adepth of the ultrawide-angle lens is deep, and thus, there is no problemin obtaining an image in focus. However, a photographing image of alargely inclined area includes large errors in size and shape. This maybe corrected by numerically post-processing the photographed image.However, when the image sensor 120 is tilted to an appropriate level inconsideration of the inclined angle between the ground as thephotographing area and the optical axis of the lens, distortion may begreatly reduced and an amount of post-processing calculation may begreatly reduced. A direction in which the image sensor 120 is tilted maybe selected in consideration of an optical design of the lens module110. For example, in the case of a lens configured in a form in which anodal point is formed in the lens module 110 and an image is inverted, aprojected image passing through the rearmost lens is inclined in adirection opposite to the ground, and in this case, the image sensor 120is tilted to be plane symmetrical based on the ground and a surface ofthe lens. In the case of the lens module 110 in which the nodal point isformed outside the lens module 110 and the area of the image sensor 120,the lens module 110 is tilted so as to be parallel to the image sensor120 and the ground.

Moreover, also in the concept of the shift, by offsetting the positionof the image sensor 120 on a plane perpendicular to the optical axis,the image sensor 120 may be formed to correct the extent to which sizesof a near-field and far-field images are photographed differently.

An embodiment to which the tilt and/or shift concept is applied may beparticularly useful in the case of a camera monitor system (CMS) inwhich the size of the side mirror 1 is extremely reduced. Compared tothe conventional side mirror 1, the CMS is very small in size anddisposed to be closer to the vehicle. Accordingly, in the case of theCMS, the camera module 20 may be disposed such that the optical axisfaces a ground position further away from the vehicle in order toprovide an appropriate photographing area. That is, the ground and theimage sensor 120 are inclined at a larger angle, and the imaging lightcorresponding to the photographed image is incident on the image sensor120 in a largely inclined state. Accordingly, in the modified embodimentto which the tilt and/or shift concept is applied, distortion isreduced, and thus an image requiring only a small level of correctionmay be provided.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 5, a stopper 145, which absorbs impacttransmitted to the mirror 142 and determines a stop position when themirror 142 in the second state of being folded by a force of the torsionspring 147 rotates and moves to enter the first state, may be disposedon a member (not illustrated) on the flat surface on which the lightsource 130 is disposed.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a control system of thecamera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus according to the firstembodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 6, the camera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus 10according to the first embodiment may be configured by adding an LEDdriver chip set related to a puddle lamp to an existing SVM cameracontroller.

A control of the puddle lamp may be performed in the following sequence.

In a controller, a micro controller unit (MCU) receives user information(LVDS Tx) and generates a pulse width modulation (PWM) control signalfor a solenoid control. Next, the LED driver is driven to generate amulti-channel high-voltage PWM signal to turn on an LED light source.That is, the mirror in the second state rotates and moves to enter thefirst state, and the light of the light source is projected to theoutside through the lens module 110. In the MCU, an intensity of the LEDlight source may be adjusted by controlling a pulse width of the PWMsignal. The solenoid control may be performed by controlling, forexample, a metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor switch connectedto the solenoid in the MCU.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of a camera-puddle lamp integratedapparatus according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 7, in a camera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus 12according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, a cameramodule 22 and a puddle lamp module 32 share the lens module 110, and thepuddle lamp module 32 is disposed at a peripheral portion of the imagesensor 120. The puddle lamp module 32 according to one embodimentincludes a separate optical unit 132 so that light emitted from thelight source 130 is directed to a rear end of the lens module 110. InFIG. 7, one end of the optical unit 132 is illustrated to have a wedgeshape, but this is only for conceptually illustrating a configuration ofone embodiment and is not limited thereto, and various shapes includinga circular lens group capable of changing a path of the emitted lightmay be used.

In the camera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus 12 according to oneembodiment, the light source 130 of the puddle lamp module 32 and theimage sensor 120 of the camera module 22 are mounted on the samecomponent (that is, the same printed circuit board), and thus, astructure thereof is simple and easy to manufacture. In addition, bysimply forming a wider cooling structure (not illustrated) disposed on arear surface of the printed circuit board on which the image sensor 120is disposed, heat generated from the light source 130 may also becooled. In general, the image sensor 120 having a high resolutiongenerates high heat, and in order to cool the image sensor 120, acooling structure such as a heat radiation plate is provided on the rearsurface of the printed circuit board on which the image sensor 120 isdisposed. In one embodiment, the light source 130 of the puddle lampmodule 32 is disposed around the image sensor 120, and a coolingstructure may be formed on the rear surface of the location of the lightsource 130.

In addition, since the camera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus 12according to one embodiment does not include a driving mechanism andoperates in a state where all components are fixed, product durabilitymay be improved.

Preferably, the lens module 110 according to one embodiment is designedso that an image circle at the position of the image sensor 120 behindthe lens module 110 is larger than the size of the image sensor 120, andthus, the light source 130 is included in the image circle.

Meanwhile, in order to effectively use an amount of light from the lightsource 130 for illumination, the light source 130 may be disposed to becoplanar to the image sensor 120 and a central axis of light emittedfrom the light source 130 may be inclined toward a center of the rear ofthe lens module 110 from a virtual line perpendicular to the surface ofthe image sensor 120.

The optical unit 132 included in the puddle lamp module 32 may directthe light emitted from the light source 130 toward the center of therear of the lens module 110 but is not limited thereto, and ifnecessary, the optical unit 132 may be formed to direct the emittedlight toward a position away from the center of the rear. For example,when the center of the photographing area of the camera module 22 andthe center of the illumination area of the puddle lamp module 32 areformed to be different from each other, the optical unit 132 included inthe puddle lamp module 32 may be formed to direct light emitted from thelight source 130 toward a position rather than a center of a rear end ofthe lens module 110.

In addition, although it is illustrated that there are two light sources130 of the puddle lamp module 32 in FIG. 7, the present disclosure isnot limited thereto, and one or more light sources 130 may be disposedas necessary.

For example, although not illustrated, a plurality of light sources 130may be disposed around the image sensor 120 in a ring shape. Bycollecting and using the amount of light from the plurality of lightsources 130, it is possible to use a plurality of light sources eachhaving a low output, and as a result, it is possible to expect theeffect that heat generated from the light source 130 is uniformlydistributed throughout the printed circuit board. In addition, comparedto a case where the light source 130 is disposed on only a portion of acircumference of the image circle, the difficult design of the lensmodule 110 or the arrangement of the light source 130 for implementing acircular illumination area and the design of the optical unit 132 on thelight source 130 may be simplified. In addition, by implementing theplurality of light sources 130 to emit different colors, it is possibleto provide illumination of various colors by color combination.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a control system of thecamera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus according to the secondembodiment of the present disclosure.

Compared with the control system according to the first embodiment ofthe present disclosure, in the case of the second embodiment, componentsfor controlling an operating mechanism such as the solenoid are notrequired, and switching of the operation states of the puddle lampmodule 32 and the camera module 22 may be easily controlledelectrically.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a camera-puddle lamp integrated apparatusaccording to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 9, in a camera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus 14according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, a cameramodule 24 and a puddle lamp module 34 share the lens module 110, and theimage sensor 120 is spaced apart from the rear of the lens module 110with the first area therebetween. The light source 130 of the puddlelamp module 34 is disposed behind the lens module 110 and is disposed ina second area outside the first area. A light path of the light source130 and an image light path incident on the image sensor 120 are formedto pass through the lens module 110 using the translucent mirror 143disposed at the rear of the lens module 110. The translucent mirror 143may be fixed to a front housing of the camera module 32 on which thelens module 110 is mounted.

In addition, in order to more efficiently use the light emitted from thelight source 130 of the puddle lamp module 34, a reflector 160 includinglensing effects is disposed at a first position spaced apart from theimage sensor 120 beyond the translucent mirror 143 from a travelingdirection of the light emitted from the light source 130 of the puddlelamp module 34. A central axis of the light emitted from the lightsource 130 is disposed in a direction toward a center of the reflector160, and the reflector 160 is formed to reflect the light emitted fromthe light source 130 toward the rear of the lens module 110.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an operation of thecamera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus according to the thirdembodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 10, when the camera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus14 according to one embodiment is operated in the camera mode, the imageincident through the lens module 110 passes through the translucentmirror 143 and is transferred to the image sensor 120 in a state wherethe light source 130 of the puddle lamp module 34 is turned off, andthus, the image is captured by the image sensor 120.

An amount of light passing through or reflected from the translucentmirror 143 decreases. While the image incident on the image sensor 120passes through the translucent mirror 143, the amount of lightdecreases. However, an appropriate level of image quality may be securedby increasing sensitivity of the image sensor 120.

In the case of the puddle lamp module 34, a portion of the light emittedfrom the light source 130 is reflected by the translucent mirror 143 toenter the lens module 110, and the rest of the light passes through thetranslucent mirror 143. The reflector 160 serves to reflect the light ofthe light source that has passed through the translucent mirror 143 tobe incident on the rear of the lens module 110. At least a portion ofthe light that has passed through the translucent mirror 143 is incidenton the lens again by the reflector 160, and thus, it is possible to moreefficiently use the light from the light source of the puddle lamp.Meanwhile, for example, the reflector 160 may be formed to includelensing effects of focusing or expanding reflected light so that lightdensity finally projected from the reflector 160 through the lens module110 increases or a light projection area is widened. The reflector 160may be a concave mirror, and the concave mirror may also be formed toprovide a parabolic reflective lensing effect.

In the case of the third embodiment, there are no mechanically operatingcomponents therein, and a method of controlling operation states of thecamera module 24 and the puddle lamp module 34 may adopt a methodsimilar to the method of the second embodiment.

In a camera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus 16 according to a fourthembodiment of the present disclosure, the camera module 26 and thepuddle lamp module 36 share the lens module 110. The puddle lamp module36 includes the light source 130, and the light source 130 is formed tomove in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens module110. The image sensor 120 is spaced apart from the rear of the lensmodule 110 with the first area therebetween. The integrated apparatus 10is formed to operate in the puddle lamp mode when the light source 130moves and is disposed in the first area, and operate in the camera modewhen the light source 130 moves and is disposed in the second areaoutside the first area. In the fourth embodiment, since the light source130 moves in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the lensmodule 110, a size of the first area in the fourth embodiment may besmaller than that of the first area in the first embodiment. That is, inthe fourth embodiment, a gap between the lens module 110 and the imagesensor 120 may be formed to be narrower than that in the firstembodiment.

The puddle lamp module 36 includes the light source 130, a spring 147 a,a sliding bar 146 a, and a solenoid 148. The light source 130 is fixedto one side of the sliding bar 146 a, and a moving part of the solenoid148 operated by a control signal may be connected to the other side ofthe sliding bar 146 a. The spring 147 a may be a compression spring oran extension spring to push or pull the sliding bar 146 a when thepuddle lamp mode is released and the light source 130 of the puddle lampmodule 36 is moved and removed from the rear of the lens module 110 tooperate in the camera mode.

The solenoid 148 is operated so that the sliding bar 146 a is moved toextend in a direction toward the rear of the lens module 110, the lightsource 130 of the puddle lamp module 36 is inserted into the first areadefined as the area between the rear of the lens module 110 and theimage sensor 120 to be close to the center of the optical axis oradjacent to the optical axis, and thus, the puddle lamp is operated whenthe light source 130.

When power being supplied is cut off and the solenoid 148 is turned off,the sliding bar 146 a is moved by the spring 147 a and the light source130 of the puddle lamp module 36 moves from the first area to the secondarea. Accordingly, only the image sensor 120 is present at the rear ofthe lens module 110 and is operated as a camera in this state.

The puddle lamp module 36 is disposed at a position closer to the imagesensor 120 from the rear of the lens module 110. In consideration ofthis, a light source lens part may be further provided in front of thelight source to control optical characteristics of the illuminationprojected to the front of the lens module 110.

In addition, in a mechanism part for the operation of the puddle lampmodule 36, a size of the mechanism part may be reduced using a clip 150which is a member having a “ ” shape, and heat generated from the lightsource 130 may be easily radiated to the outside.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the camera-puddle lamp integrated apparatusaccording to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11A illustrates right and left views of a state in which theapparatus operates as the puddle lamp viewed from both sides. FIG. 11Billustrates right and left views of a state in which the apparatusoperates as the camera viewed from both sides.

In one embodiment, the spring 147 a is a compression spring and isdisposed on one side of the sliding bar 146 a.

Referring to FIG. 11, the light source 130 according to one embodimentmay be disposed on an outer surface of one protruding end 152 of the “ ”shaped clip 150. In the illustrated example, one surface of one side ofthe sliding bar 146 a may be fixed to an inner surface of the oneprotruding end 152 of the clip 150. One protruding end 152 of the clip150 is coupled to one side of the sliding bar 146 a, and the otherprotruding end 154 is assembled to be slidable while pressing the rearsurface of the printed circuit board including the image sensor 120. Inthe case of the embodiment including the clip 150, the light source 130is disposed on the outer surface of the one protruding end 152 of theclip 150 instead of one side of the sliding bar 146 a.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the camera-puddle lamp integratedapparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 12, the other protruding end 154 of the clip 150 maybe guided to the rear surface of the printed circuit board on which theimage sensor 120 is disposed and move in a direction parallel to amoving direction of the solenoid 148. A heat radiation structure (notillustrated) for radiating heat generated by the image sensor 120 to theoutside may be provided on the rear surface of the printed circuit boardon which the image sensor 120 is disposed. The other protruding end 154of the clip 150 may be formed to move along a sliding guide structure(not illustrated) formed in the heat dissipation structure. The slidingbar 146 a and the printed circuit board may be disposed inside the otherprotruding end 154 of the clip 150 and supported by a spring force ofthe clip 150. When the apparatus operates as the puddle lamp, a contactarea of the clip with respect to the heat dissipation structure behindthe printed circuit board is wider than when the apparatus operates asthe camera. Therefore, heat generated by the light source 130 attachedto the one protruding end 152 of the clip 150 may be effectivelydischarged through the clip 150 to the heat dissipating structure. Onthe other hand, when the apparatus operates as the camera, the contactarea between the clip 150 and the heat dissipation structure decreases,and thus, the heat generated by the image sensor 120 may be transmittedless toward the light source moving to the second area.

Meanwhile, according to one embodiment, the puddle lamp module 36 issupported by the sliding bar 146 a and the clip 150 in both horizontaland vertical directions, and thus, structural stability can be secured.In addition, compared to the first or third embodiments, in the fourthembodiment, since the flat and thin light source 130 of the puddle lampmodule 36 is inserted from the side, there is an advantage in that adistance between the rear of the lens module 110 and the image sensor120 may be short. In general, when the distance between the rear of thelens module 110 and the image sensor 120 is short, the size of the lensmodule 110 may be formed to be small.

In addition, in order to perform the illumination about a locationdifferent from the photographing area of the camera in the puddle lampmodule 36, the light source 130 according to the fourth embodiment maybe disposed not to enter the optical axis of the lens module 110. Sincethe light source 130 is spaced apart from the optical axis, the lightsource 130 may be formed so that the center of the illumination deviatesfrom the center of the photographing area of the camera. For example,the center of the illumination may be closer to the vehicle than thephotographing area of the camera. In addition, the light source 130 maybe disposed on a curved shape so that the one protruding end 152 of thesliding bar 146 a or the clip 150 is inclined in the moving direction ofthe sliding bar 146 a. Accordingly, not vertical light but inclinedlight may be incident on the lens module 110 to provide illuminationhaving a center position, an area size, or a shape different from thoseof the photographing area of the camera.

Meanwhile, although not illustrated, in order to display any one of alogo, a character, a pattern, and a color pattern in the illuminationarea of the puddle lamp, a pattern mask for displaying these may befurther provided in front of the light source 130.

Similar to the first embodiment, in the case of the fourth embodiment,the solenoid 148 may be included, and a method of controlling operationstates of the camera module 26 and the puddle lamp module 36 may besimilar to that of the first embodiment.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a camera for an SVMand a puddle lamp share a lens part and are integrated into one module.Accordingly, costs are reduced, weight is smaller than the total weightof individual modules, watertightness and quality are easily secured,and particularly, the installation space is minimized, and thus, thesize of the side mirror is reduced. Moreover, an integrated moduleaccording to the present disclosure contributes to miniaturization ofthe CMS.

What is claimed is:
 1. A camera-puddle lamp integrated apparatuscomprising: a lens module; an image sensor spaced apart from the lensmodule with a first area therebetween; a light source arranged in asecond area outside the first area and configured to emit light thatintersects an optical axis of the lens module in the first area; and amirror module including a mirror that has a first side located in thesecond area and functioning as a rotation axis, the mirror configured torotate about the first side to switch between a first state where atleast a portion of the mirror is positioned in the first area and asecond state where the mirror is positioned in the second area, whereina light beam incident on the lens module is reflected by the mirror anddirected to the light source in the first state, and is directed to theimage sensor in the second state, and the camera-puddle lamp integratedapparatus is configured to operate as a puddle lamp in the first stateand as a camera in the second state.
 2. The camera-puddle lampintegrated apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the mirror module includes themirror, a mirror rotation shaft, a cam bar, a torsion spring, asolenoid, and a push pin, the mirror rotation shaft is collinear withthe rotation axis of the mirror, the cam bar has a first end connectedto the mirror rotation shaft and a second end in contact with the pushpin, the solenoid is configured to move the push pin, the mirror moduleis configured to enter the first state when the solenoid moves forward,and to enter the second state when the solenoid moves rearward, and thetorsion spring is compressed when the solenoid moves forward and thepush pin pushes the cam bar and rotates the mirror so that the mirrormoves to the second area when the solenoid moves rearward.
 3. Thecamera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus of claim 2, wherein the mirrorcomprises a planar total reflection mirror.
 4. The camera-puddle lampintegrated apparatus of claim 2, wherein the mirror is tilted at anangle of 45° with respect to the optical axis of the lens module in thefirst state.
 5. The camera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus of claim 2,wherein at least one of the cam bar and the push pin comprises anUltra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene material.
 6. The camera-puddlelamp integrated apparatus of claim 1, wherein a size of a cross sectionof the light beam incident on the lens module is smaller than an imagecircle projected from the lens module.
 7. The camera-puddle lampintegrated apparatus of claim 6, wherein a center of the cross sectionof the light beam is spaced apart from a center of the image circle. 8.The camera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus of claim 2, wherein, in thefirst state, the mirror reflects the light beam emitted from the lightsource and incident on the lens module, the light beam being deviatedfrom the optical axis of the lens module so that a first center of aphotograph area of the camera is different from a second center of anillumination area of the puddle lamp.
 9. The camera-puddle lampintegrated apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mirror is configured toexhibit a lensing effect.
 10. The camera-puddle lamp integratedapparatus of claim 9, wherein the lensing effect comprises a concavemirror effect.
 11. The camera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus of claim10, wherein the concave mirror effect is implemented by a parabolicshape.
 12. A vehicle side mirror comprising the camera-puddle lampintegrated apparatus of claim
 1. 13. The vehicle side mirror of claim12, wherein, in the camera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus, a center ofa photographing area of the camera is positioned further toward anexterior of a vehicle than a center of an illumination area of thepuddle lamp.
 14. The vehicle side mirror of claim 13, wherein, in thecamera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus, a size of the photographingarea of the camera is larger than that of the illumination area of thepuddle lamp.
 15. The vehicle side mirror of claim 12, wherein theoptical axis of the lens module is rotated toward an exterior of thevehicle at a predetermined angle with respect to a virtual linevertically extending to a ground from the camera.
 16. The vehicle sidemirror of claim 15, wherein the image sensor is inclined from a planeperpendicular to the optical axis of the lens module to be arranged witha rear image circle of the lens module corresponding to the ground to bephotographed by the camera.
 17. The vehicle side mirror of claim 12,wherein a reflective surface of the mirror includes a pattern maskconfigured to display at least one of a logo, a character, a pattern,and a color pattern in an illumination area of the puddle lamp.